GREENVILLE, Pa.—The Dr. Barry ’70 and Carol ’71 Stamm Track & Field Complex will host its first official first track & field event on Saturday, April 10.
The inaugural Tomcat Track and Field Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2021. Field events start at 9:30 a.m. and running events start at 11 a.m. About 10 teams are scheduled to participate in the event. Spectators for the event are limited to the family of Thiel College athletes as well as students and employees of the College.
“This is an exciting moment for the College. We faced some obstacles and hurdles to get this point, but we are thrilled to be able to host this event for our athletes,” Director of Athletics Amy Schafer said. “We have waited years for this moment. I know our athletes and coaches cannot wait to see that first heat of runners make their way around the track.”
A naming ceremony for the facility was held in 2019. The entire complex was named in honor of alumni Dr. Barry ’70 and Carol (Yeager) Stamm ’71. The infield is named the Coach Jack Leipheimer ’74 Field, and the track was named to celebrate former coach Col. Charles “Bud” Manes ’58 Track. The field was complete, but additional equipment and arrangements needed to be made before it could host an official event. The worldwide pandemic also disrupted scheduling for events at the facility. The nearly $3 million project began in May of 2015 and was dedicated in October 2017. Opening the facility resulted in creating a home field for all of Thiel College’s varsity athletic teams. With the opening of the track & field, all of Thiel’s varsity sports team a home on campus. The infield at the track also creates additional competition, practice and recreational space on campus.
For health and safety of the Thiel College Community, this event is being put on in accordance to Centers for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, which include reduced attendance, hygiene recommendations, social distancing and the use of masks regardless of vaccine status.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.